Program Grants and Committees policies and procedures

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Anonymous

__________ Foundation Policies and ProceduresProgram Grants and Committees BackgroundThe original policies and procedures (articles 1 – 18) for program grants and committees were approved individually by each program committee (i.e., the Community Development, Environment, and Youth Violence Prevention program committees) prior to their presentation to Trustees at the November 2000 meeting. It was noted at that meeting that each committee… Read More

Risk in Philanthropy: A Framework for Evaluation

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Open Road Alliance

To help both grantmakers and NGOs better identify, assess, mitigate, and plan for risk in their portfolios, Open Road Alliance offers this framework for evaluating risk. This brief framework is designed to provide grantmakers and NGOs with tools to conceptualize and describe risk and its implications within the scope of their philanthropic work… Read More

Jacobs Family Foundation: Be Fearless Case Study

Posted on May 5, 2015

An abandoned lot, an experimental initial public offering (IPO) and a culture that believes that failure leads to learning inspired the Jacobs Family Foundation to transform its business model from traditional grantmaker to place-based funder to maximize impact without sacrificing its core values and mission. A Be Fearless case study, sponsored by the Case Foundation… Read More

Transformation, Transparency, and Ongoing Learning: Focusing Your Foundation’s Approach and Strategy

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Mirellise Vazquez, Ronelle P. Swagerty

This webinar will take an in-depth look at the experiences and lessons learned of the Tauck Family Foundation as it engaged in a re-think of its programs and strategies, resulting in a newly adaptive approach, strong relationships with its core investees, a laser-like focus on “what works,” and a commitment to ongoing learning and continuous improvement… Read More

Should I Give Anonymously or Publicly?

Posted on December 8, 2014 by The Bridgespan Group

Whether or not you “go public” with your philanthropy is a matter of strategy and personal style. Ask yourself, given the change you want to see in the world, what’s the right approach? This short issue brief from the GiveSmart website provides a list of considerations for determining how publicly you want to give… Read More

Executive director position description

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Anonymous

Description The Executive Director is responsible for establishing an efficient and effective infrastructure that enables seamless execution of grantmaking functions and heightens professionalism of the foundation’s operations. Working with the trustees, the Executive Director helps develop imaginative and effective grantmaking strategies and evaluates how to make the most positive impact on the communities served. Core Responsibilities Strategic Leadership of the… Read More

Executive director’s annual performance review

Posted on December 8, 2014

Planning & Organizing: Demonstrates an understanding of the Foundation’s mission and priorities; establishes effective courses of action to implement the goals and objectives set forth in the strategic plan. Judgement & Decisiveness: Makes well-timed and sound decisions; meets deadlines; solves problems promptly; sets appropriate priorities for tasks. Initiative: Sets high goals/standards of performance for self and others; originates action rather… Read More

The power of taking stock: 5 reasons to conduct evaluations

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Kris Putnam-Walkerly

Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, but I am not sure many foundations fully believe that. In the course of working with foundations across the country, I have made a somewhat surprising discovery: Many foundations grossly underestimate the importance of evaluating impact. This is unfortunate, because evaluation is both enlightening and empowering… Read More

Principles of best practice for grantees (Independent Sector)

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Independent Sector

There are many established standards or Principles of Best Practice relative to nonprofit organizations’ accountability, ethical practices, governance, finance, programming and public disclosure.  On the Independent Sector’s website, you will find a comprehensive compilation of standards of best practices developed for nonprofits, the Compendium of Standards, Codes, and Principles of Nonprofit and Philanthropic Organizations.  After a review of many of… Read More